Published: January 19, 2005

Vivendi Universal, owner of the world's largest music company, said that France's financial markets regulator issued ''notices of grievance'' against the company and two executives, including the chief executive, Jean-Ren?ourtou. The notices result from an inquiry by the regulator into moves of Vivendi shares at the time of a 2002 bond issue, the company said. Vivendi said it would contest the notices, which it said had no legal basis.